Old Years: Cape Recife Authority Nature Reserve

First of all: Happy New Year! We wish you everything of the best for 2014 and sincerely hope that the year ahead brings with it plenty happy memories with friends and family!

We're currently on holiday in Port Elizabeth visiting our mom and her lovely husband, Richard. Yesterday was the last day of 2013 and my sister (Charne'), Damian, Rowan and I decided to spend the morning on a beautiful beach along the Eastern Cape coastline situated in the Cape Recife Nature Reserve. It was absolutely amazing and we couldn't have had a more perfect day to experience it. The sun was shining brightly, there was a slight cool breeze, the sky was a delicious blue... Nothing better. Certainly no better way to spend the last morning of 2013.

Cape Recife Nature Reserve is accessible to the public by permit. It is situated on the southern point of Algoa Bay. The lighthouse on the beach was built in 1851 and is something quite unique in it's black and white markings. The Cape Recife beach is untouched and the natural dune vegetation leaves much to be appreciated. Unbeknown to us, Cape Recife Nature Reserve also has a 9km run or walk trail that is quite famous amongst these parts. Aside from the beautiful beach, the unspoilt vegetation, and the rocky outcrops, there is also a bird hide which has become exceptionally popular to bird watchers being one of the best bird viewing spots in Port Elizabeth. There is also an old Military observation post on the reserve. The reserve is also home to SAMREC which is the South African Marine Rehabilitation and Education Centre. This little organisation is home to several African Penguins for which their work has become notably famous. While SAMREC was officially closed to the public, we allowed a quick glance and the work these people do for penguins is really quite amazing!

Cape Recife Nature Reserve is a definite stop-over spot if you are ever visiting Port Elizabeth. The sights, sounds and smells will win you over in a heartbeat. Plan at least a day here so you can soak up some sun and explore all that Cape Recife Nature Reserve has to offer.